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Inouye's widow endorses Hanabusa for Senate

The widow of Hawaii senator Daniel Inouye has given her blessing to Rep. Colleen Hanabusa's bid for the U.S. Senate, endorsing her husband's protege over the Democrat who got appointed to his seat. Irene

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The widow of Hawaii senator Daniel Inouye gave her blessing to Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, endorsing her husband's protégé for the Senate over the Democrat who got appointed to his seat.

Irene Hirano Inouye said in a statement that she is honoring her husband's dying wish as she takes an early stand in what will be a competitive Democratic primary between Hanabusa and appointed Sen. Brian Schatz. next year.

Daniel Inouye, who served Hawaii continuously since it became a state in 1959, died in December. Before Inouye died, he sent a letter to Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie reportedly asking that Hanabusa be appointed to replace him. Abercrombie instead chose Schatz, his lieutenant governor.

Hanabusa jumped into the 2014 race on Thursday.

"His last wish was that Colleen serve out his term because he was confident in her ability to step into the Senate and immediately help Hawaii," Irene Inouye said. "I am honoring one of his last requests and look forward to supporting Colleen on the campaign trail."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has signaled it will back Schatz, who has already raised $1.1 million for the 2014 race. He took the rare step of acknowledging Inouye's endorsement on Friday, saying he spoke to her after news first broke about Hanabusa's candidacy.

"I phoned Mrs. Inouye to express my respect for her and the late senator," he said. "Mrs. Inouye very graciously informed me she would be supporting Rep. Hanabusa's candidacy."